Obituaries
EVELYN BELL NUMEROW
With deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Evelyn Numerow at her home in Richmond, BC on the morning of December 26, 2020.
Evelyn will be dearly missed by her children Leonard (Danna), David (Susan), and Michael, her sister Gail Nep and nephew Dustin Shore (Michelle Livingston), her grandchildren Kevin, Allison, Jennifer, Jeffery, Logan, Benjamin and her great-niece Jaden. She also leaves many cousins and relatives including William (Ann) Gleberzon and family, Sandy (Howard) Collerman and family, and Mickey (Gerry) Namak and family. Mom will also be greatly missed by her special friend Harris Gulko.
Evelyn was predeceased by husbands Kenneth Numerow (1990), Samuel Brownstone (2002), her parents Jennie (2002) and Louis Nep (1954), her brother Gerald Nep (2009) and Gail’s husband Blair Dawe (2002)
Mom was born at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, growing up in the North End. After the unfortunate early passing of her father Louis, she almost single-handedly raised her sister Gail, while her mother worked. After obtaining her Manitoba’s teachers certificate, she taught at Collicut school for several years before settling down to have her 3 boys. During those childhood years, mom was a staunch supporter of Jewish education for her children, becoming active on the Rosh Pina Synagogue Education Committee and supporting the boys through their USY days. From there she became active in Sisterhood, becoming President for many years during the 1990’s. She was especially proud for being the Honoree for the 2011 Etz Chayim Torah Fund Brunch.
Evelyn was also a wonderful cook and pastry chef. After refining these talents at the Synagogue for many years, she co-founded the bakery “How Sweet It Is”, providing pastries to locations including the Westin hotel for many years. And everybody truly loved her masterpiece creation: the Brandy Alexander Torte. After this, she ran the family business, Numerow Trading Company, successfully for more than 30 years. Mom also had a strong love for music. In her early days, she was active in high school musicals and productions. As children, the boys all remember music continually playing in the house or cottage on her favorite radio station CJOB. Later in life, she received pleasure from leading and participating in singing at multiple Sisterhood conventions. She passed this love for music onto her children and all of her grandchildren. You should have seen her kvel when Logan was given the honor to sing the Kol Nidre prayer at shul in Richmond! Evelyn was also a regular attendee and supporter of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Mom also loved to spend winters with her sister Gail, family, and friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Thank you to our special friend in Mexico Kina Castaneda for all of her help there. And it was in Mexico that mom solidified the special relationship she had with Dustin, since he was a child. Dustin “loved his Auntie Evy” like a mother.
In 2003, the family discovered a summer vacation spot in Okanagan Falls, BC. Mom spent many hot summers with her children and grandchildren swimming in the beautiful waters and tasting incredible wines throughout the countryside.
In 2010, Mom met the next love of her life, Harris Gulko. They spent many happy years together in Winnipeg, Okanagan Falls, and Puerto Vallarta, eventually moving to Richmond BC in 2017 to be closer to both of their families.
Everybody will remember Evelyn for her strength, wisdom, charm, and great sense of humor. We can still hear her contagious laugh. And she cared deeply for everybody around her.
We want to express special thanks to Yuko Abeyama and her team of so many wonderful caregivers from Nikoniko Quality Care in Richmond, BC. who helped mom to live with comfort and dignity at home, for those last 6 months.
Evelyn was interred beside her husband Ken at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery in Winnipeg, MB, Canada on Wed. Dec. 30, 2020. Shiva was observed privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Beth Tikvah Congregation & Centre of Richmond, BC.
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.
Obituaries
RITA SHAPERA (née SILVERMAN)
March 22, 1929 – September 2, 2025
It is with deep sadness that the family of Rita Shapera announces her passing on September 2, 2025, at the age of 96.
Born in Winnipeg to Isadore and Dolly Silverman, Rita grew up in the North End during the Depression yet always remembered her childhood as joyful and full of warmth. A striking beauty, her brother Gerry joked that he was bribed with chocolate by hopeful suitors! It was Dr. Monty Shapera, however, who won her heart, and they married in 1949.
Together, Rita and Monty moved to Flin Flon to establish his dental practice. What was meant to be a short stay blossomed into a decade filled with community, friendship, and the arrival of their three children. Returning to Winnipeg, Rita poured her boundless creativity and impeccable eye for design into building their River Heights home. A gifted cook, baker, and hostess, she made her home a gathering place brimming with love, laughter, and warmth.
Rita adored the famously purple family cottage at Winnipeg Beach, where her love of gardening and swimming took root. She relished travel – especially to Maui – along with bridge games with her circle of friends, evenings at the symphony, and years of community service with Hadassah, Kiwanis, and the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood.
When Monty passed away in 1990, Rita embraced her role as a devoted grandmother and found joy in winters spent in Palm Springs. In 1996, she was blessed to find love again with Ted Jacob. Their marriage was filled with laughter, affection, and a partnership reminiscent of Burns and Allen. She cherished her bond with Teddy’s children, and though his passing in 2003 was another heartbreak, Rita described their time together as “perfect.”
Rita’s warmth, empathy, and radiant spirit made her a friend to all – whether across a bridge table, in her volunteer work, or even in a casual conversation while waiting in line. She embodied generosity and unconditional love, and as she often said, “I’ve had an amazing life.”
Rita is survived by her children, Nolan (Lori), Caryn Martin (Dr. Paul Martin), and Blair (Lois Vincent); her grandchildren, Tali, Ilyssa, Cale (Hannah), Ilana (Igal), Jordan, Mika (Nate), Shaan, and Eli; and her great-grandchildren, Lev, Theo, Shai, Llewyn, and Jaxx. She is also lovingly remembered by her brother Dr. Gerald (Pauline) Silverman. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Sheila (Al Linder), and her husbands, Dr. Monty Shapera and Ted Jacob.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated care providers at Shaftesbury Park, the Simkin Centre, St. Boniface Hospital, and especially to Paulina Trinidad for her compassionate care.
Rita’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and joy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Donations in Rita’s memory can be made to Winnipeg Children’s Hospital or Diabetes Canada.
Obituaries
DR. DAVID NORMAN MANUSOW
David passed away, surrounded by his children and partner, on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after a battle with CNS lymphoma, at age 74.
Left to mourn are his children, Josh (Kristen) and Amy (Jamie), his grandchildren, Miles, Archie, and Stella, sister Merle (Phil), his partner Rosa and her children, Karen (Joe) and Danielle (Mike). He was predeceased by his wife Nancy who died in 2003.
David grew up in the North End of Winnipeg and was proud of his roots. He spent his childhood hanging out at Winnipeg Beach, enjoying a busy social life at the YMHA downtown, and studying. He went to medical school at the University of Manitoba and completed a residency in ophthalmology there followed by further training in glaucoma surgery in New York City at Mount Sinai Hospital and in Cambridge, England. He was the first and only ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma to practice in Manitoba and in the 1980s looked after a patient population alone that is today shared by eight doctors. He was a partner at the Manitoba Clinic, a faculty member at the University of Manitoba and over his long career saved the vision and looked after thousands of patients. He was known as a master diagnostician and meticulous clinician and surgeon.
David was married to Nancy Manusow for 28 years until her death from cancer. They had a wonderful partnership, travelled the world together before settling down in Winnipeg with brief stops to live in New York, England (twice), and Pittsburgh, and raised two children together. In his later years he enjoyed travelling and spending time with Rosa, his partner of 20 years, and her family. He was particularly proud of spearheading a scholarship at his alma mater, St. John’s High School, along with some of his classmates to honour a very close friend who drowned while they were in medical school (the Aron Katz Memorial Scholarship).
The family would like to thank all of his physicians, nurses, and the staff at CancerCare, Victoria Hospital, and Grace Hospice and in particular Dr. J. Webb and Dr. L. Minuk.
His funeral took place at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Tuesday, September 26, 2025. Pallbearers were Manual Glimcher, Danielle Miller, Mike Miller, Karen Appel, Phil Sheegl, Sean Udow, Hannon Bell, Zach Stein, Stuart Niznick, and Benji Goldenberg.
David will be deeply missed. Donations in his name can be made to Breakthrough T1D (JDRF).